Her store might be called ‘Second Time Around,? but, after her recent numerous efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims in the Gulf Coast region, Miriam Sibbald might have to consider a name change.
Sibbald is currently working on sending a fourth shipment for the relief efforts.
With every shipment of clothing and other necessities, she learns a bit more about the process. Her first attempt was certainly nothing like Sibbald expected.
That shipment, sent via Cherokee Van Lines (who offered the service for free), ended up going no further than St. Louis, Missouri, and was not handled the way Sibbald was assured it would be.
Since then, Sibbald has sent another shipment by truck, and one using PODS. One of those shipments found its way to a women’s shelter in Mississippi.
Sibbald, who is originally from northwest Mississippi, has even taken a trip to the Katrina-ravaged region.
‘There’s been very little done,? Sibbald said, citing blame on FEMA, insurance companies and the federal government for taking too long to react.
‘There are no houses going up.?
Seeing the situation firsthand convinced Sibbald that more needed to be done, and she vows to keep helping as long as she can.
She’s even borrowed against her own life insurance policy in order to continue sending assistance.
Since the disaster struck, Sibbald’s regular business at Second Time Around has taken a back seat. In fact, Sibbald is hoping to turn the resale store on Broadway into a non-profit sometime soon.
‘It already is one anyway,? she laughed.
Sibbald hopes someone in the community will step forward and help her in that effort.
With regard to the Gulf Coast, she encourages others in the community to get involved, not just with her efforts but perhaps also in their own missions to help the relief efforts.
Sibbald noted that the attention the area has received has fallen considerably since the first couple of months, and the region needs support now more than ever.
‘I’m asking for anything and everything you have to spare that someone else doesn’t have at all,? she said.
Sibbald has a list of what is needed, and is hopeful that everything she sends will go to good use.
She’s hoping to get the next shipment out in a couple of weeks.
‘It was 29 degrees down there the other day, so when they said early on not to send coats, they were wrong,? Sibbald said. ‘They need everything down there.?
In the wake of the Katrina and Rita disasters, many government officials wished for a second chance.
Miriam Sibbald’s working on her fourth chance, and hopes others will join in the cause.
To contact Miriam Sibbald call 693-1123, or visit Second Time Around at 121 S. Broadway.